The images above show my proposal for the site. I've decided that a major ambition of my project will be to bridge the barrier presented by the adjacent highway. The competition brief is very clear in its intent to foster the kind of "underground" scene that the SOLIDERE plan for Beirut seems content with ignoring. Even the SOLIDERE-supplied map in the competition guidelines highlights the new, planned area in vibrant colors, while the areas to the other side of the ring are a faded brown... I feel that a purely symbolic gesture would be empty, and a more radical approach is needed. I propose lowering a portion of the highway (and access roads) below ground level, connecting the cross-streets over the highway, and creating a large public square immediately to the south of our site.

In addition to creating a new pedestrian corridor between the solider master plan area and the urban fabric to the south, this will allow a direct auto connection to the underground parking levels of the House of Arts and Culture. Motorists arriving from throughout Lebanon and the region can exit directly from the highway into the building. The underside of the plaza structure can be fitted with video screens to display advertisements or artworks to the passing motorists. Pedestrian access will occur on grade, from the new public square, or from the adjacent streets.